An exclusive collection of fine wines from renowned Australian wine critic James Halliday is now open for bidding through Langton’s, a leading fine wine auctioneer and retailer. The auction features 100 lots, predominantly from Halliday’s prized collection of wines by esteemed French producer Domaine Armand Rousseau. Each bottle in the auction has been personally signed by Halliday.
Among the highlights are rare vintages such as the 1999 Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, Ruchottes-Chambertin; the 1976 Clos de la Roche; and the 1990 Grand Cru Chambertin. These selections reflect Halliday’s longstanding admiration for Rousseau wines, which he regards as the finest remaining in his personal cellar.
“Having long since sold the last of my DRCs, my Rousseaus are the best wines in my cellar, led – of course – by the Chambertins from top vintages,” Halliday noted in a statement. He further praised Clos de Bèze as a strong second and highlighted Clos de Jacques as a wine that often delivers exceptional value. “Rousseau now fills the shoes left by the impossible-to-find DRCs,” he added.
The auction also includes standout bottles beyond Rousseau, such as a 1996 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut, a 1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese, and a 1980 Domaine Clape.
Australian selections from the Halliday cellar are also featured, including a 2000 House of Arras E J Carr Late Disgorged Méthode Traditionnelle Magnum from Tasmania, a 1997 Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir from the Macedon Ranges, and a 1992 Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre from the Barossa Valley.
The online auction, titled James Halliday Private Collection, is currently live on Langton’s website and will close at 9pm AEST on 25 May.
This sale marks the second time Langton’s has hosted an auction of Halliday’s personal cellar. In 2020, the auction house managed the sale of the largest-ever collection of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) offered on the Australian market.
Michael Anderson, head of auctions and the secondary market at Langton’s, described Halliday as a pivotal figure in Australian wine. “James Halliday is undoubtedly the most important person in the Australian wine scene. His commentary, literary works, judging, and philanthropy have altered how Australians buy, sell and consume wine. It is a true pleasure to be once again hosting an auction of his wines,” Anderson said.
Halliday confirmed that this will be his final auction, marking the conclusion of his cellar’s dispersal as he relocates from his Coldstream Hills home in the Yarra Valley to Sydney.
Widely regarded as Australia’s most influential wine journalist, James Halliday’s career spans more than three decades. He is the founder of the Halliday Wine Companion and served as The Australian’s weekly wine columnist from 1978 until his retirement in 2024.
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